Week In Review: The Future of Brickyard Road Site Unfolds

It’s been another busy week in Potomac with lots of local news coverage about the future of the 20-acre lot on Brickyard Road, which will transform from an organic farm into soccer fields.

The to allow Montgomery County to lease property on Brickyard Road in Potomac to potentially build soccer fields; however the board also passed an amendment extending the current tenant’s stay.

Nick Maravell, who has done behind his house on Brickyard Road for 31 years, will now be able to farm on the property until Jan. 1, 2012 — an amendment added to the original proposal where Maravell would have had to stop farming when the lease ended on March 22. 

The school board voted after several citizens earlier in the day during its public comment period.

Many Potomac residents used Wednesday evening’s West Montgomery County Citizens Association meeting to in the decision.

Director of the Department of General Services, David Dise was at the meeting and answered what residents' questions he could and offered information he did know. Dise reiterated that County Executive Ike Leggett wants soccer fields for the land and that in the lease agreement it specifies that the fields will be made of natural —not artificial — turf.

While the future of Brickyard Road changed before our eyes this week, other stories about local families, sports and businesses also stood out in the news.

The Kaplowitz family from Potomac joined more than 200 other volunteer advocates from the American Diabetes Association to in Fiscal Year 2012 for diabetes research and prevention programs. Barbara Weckstein Kaplowitz — who has lived with diabetes for 44 years —her husband and two kids participated in the call to Congress, which lasted from Wednesday through Friday.

On Thursday, local sports website, MocoSportsFan.com released their list of the best player, coach and team from the basketball season and the title of the 2010-2011 Coach of the Year for his determination and work with the team.  

On Thursday, the planning board the development of the — a restaurant that will serve contemporary American food and drinks, said President of River Falls Jeff Grolig. The Tavern at River Falls, which will occupy space at the empty M&T Bank next door to the River Falls Market in Potomac Village, will likely be open for business in August.